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Owen G.
moving
Moving to Garden Grove for work — advice?
First post here. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Has anyone dealt with this? Any help is appreciated.
27 upvotes
29 Replies
Isaiah T.
noted, appreciate it
40 upvotes
Asher Kelly
I'm a nurse and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. The community is decent and there's always something going on.
39 upvotes
Joseph Lee
yeah no that's not right
39 upvotes
Clara King
Moved here from Portland about 12 years ago. it's exactly what I was looking for. Still getting used to traffic but No regrets on my end..
38 upvotes
Maverick
I've lived in Uptown for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from Pittsburgh, I was surprised by dating scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Active local events and festivals
- The pet-friendliness scene is tough
The downsides:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for families. Hope this helps!.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from Pittsburgh, I was surprised by dating scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Active local events and festivals
- The pet-friendliness scene is tough
The downsides:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for families. Hope this helps!.
37 upvotes
Mackenzie James
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from San Francisco about 11 years ago. The main reasons were work and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are stable, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Good luck with whatever you decide..
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from San Francisco about 11 years ago. The main reasons were work and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are stable, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Good luck with whatever you decide..
37 upvotes
Scott M.
Moved here from Denver about 2 years ago. it exceeded my expectations. Still getting used to food scene but Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
35 upvotes
Samuel Scott
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 47, moved here 6 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in South and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited shopping options
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The nightlife situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for young professionals. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from San Diego, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $100K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
Background: I'm a electrician, 47, moved here 6 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in South and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited shopping options
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The nightlife situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for young professionals. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from San Diego, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $100K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
30 upvotes
Ryan Cook
Bought a house here in 2016 and it's been a really good experience overall. Property values have gone about the same since then.
27 upvotes
Sebastian Phillips
I'm a sales manager and I've found I love the pace of life here. The community is solid and there's always something going on.
22 upvotes
Mateo Martinez
Public transit is tough here. You'll probably need a car for most things. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
21 upvotes
Jonathan W.
exactly what I was thinking
17 upvotes
Peyton Phillips
spot on
16 upvotes
Lucas Cook
following this thread
15 upvotes
Melanie Rivera
hmm interesting perspective
13 upvotes
Jace M.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I genuinely enjoy living here. No regrets on my end..
13 upvotes
Miles Watson
Hot take but it's been a really good experience overall. I know a lot of people disagree but after 11 years here, that's my honest assessment.
13 upvotes
Ethan Gray
bump
13 upvotes
Angel
yeah no that's not right
8 upvotes
la_nicholas
been saying this for years
8 upvotes
Jacob Anderson
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are better than expected, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
7 upvotes
Isaac Alvarez
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is food scene. I love the pace of life here. Worth doing your research before committing.
6 upvotes
Hudson A.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 43, moved here 15 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Good healthcare facilities
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Dating scene is rough
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The housing market situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for couples. average vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Houston, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 43, moved here 15 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Good healthcare facilities
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Dating scene is rough
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The housing market situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for couples. average vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Houston, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
4 upvotes
Adeline Young
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 7 years. Moved from Phoenix for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is improving - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. South schools are challenging. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Rising rent and home prices. Limited entertainment options. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 5/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
I've been in South for 7 years. Moved from Phoenix for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is improving - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. South schools are challenging. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Rising rent and home prices. Limited entertainment options. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 5/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
4 upvotes
nyc_declan
I've lived in Sunset for about 14 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Phoenix, I was surprised by housing market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Strong sense of community
- The school system scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for singles. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Phoenix, I was surprised by housing market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Strong sense of community
- The school system scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for singles. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
4 upvotes
coastal_silas89
I've lived in Downtown for about 12 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from Houston, I was surprised by walkability. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Diverse dining options
- The walkability scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for couples. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from Houston, I was surprised by walkability. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Diverse dining options
- The walkability scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for couples. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
4 upvotes
Ariana Young
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a real estate agent who relocated here from Nashville about 2 years ago. The main reasons were school and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Good healthcare facilities
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are affordable, gas is better than expected.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Definitely worth checking out..
I'm a real estate agent who relocated here from Nashville about 2 years ago. The main reasons were school and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Good healthcare facilities
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are affordable, gas is better than expected.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Definitely worth checking out..
2 upvotes
William Hughes
been saying this for years
0 upvotes
Riley Kim
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 11 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The The Heights side vs the Pine Hills side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
I've been here 11 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The The Heights side vs the Pine Hills side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
0 upvotes